Improper footwear and foot problems

Foot diseases affect more than 70% of the population all around the world. It is very essential to maintain healthy foot in order to prevent infectious diseases. A poor fitting footwear can lead to reduced blood supply to the feet and increased pressure thereby leading to various foot diseases like bunions, callus, corn, hammer foot and foot cramps. It is of great importance to invest in a good pair of shoes that can make your feet comfortable and prevent various foot diseases.

Bunions are the most commonly occurring foot problem among the old people. It develops as an abnormal growth at the base of the toe. They grow at abnormal angles and hence can cause pain and inflammation on the feet. They can also create more pressure on the feet by restricting the blood vessels and causing tenderness around the toes. This condition can be avoided by wearing the right shoes that can make your feet comfortable. Sometimes, bunions can lead to hammertoe which is a deformity of the joint positioning in the toes.

There are presence of dead skin cells in the affected feet and this can lead to the development of corns and calluses. The condition can get aggravated by wearing improperly fitting shoes. The most common places that are affected on the feet are the toes and sole. Most of the old people experience a condition called tarsal tunnel syndrome that is associated with deformity on the ankle and the foot. This condition can affect the nerves present in the feet leading to numbness, pain and tingling sensation.

Calluses and corns are also the common foot problems among all age groups. They can occurs due to various reasons such as improper fitting shoes and increased frictions. They usually occur over the bunions and can lead to painful ulcers on the feet. They are usually of two different type’s namely hard and soft corn. Pain in the heels can affect the ability to walk and this is usually caused due to the presence of bone spurs or ill-fitting shoes.

Many individuals also have toenail problems that occur as a result of trauma and improper fitting shoes. The toenails become thick and discoloured. Fungal infections in the feet can lead to yellowish discolouration in the feet. Plantar fasciitis is a serious foot condition that occurs on the bottom of the foot. They can cause pain and discomfort while walking. This condition can act as a precursor to various diseases like painful ulcers and spurs. Foot cramps are caused due to various factors likes malnutrition, improper blood circulation and foot exertion.

By wearing the right shoes one can lessen the problem of foot cramps. It is very essential to wash your feet every day in order to avoid bacterial and viral infections. Foot problems that cause pain and inflammation require immediate medical attention. Infections that are not treated can lead to various complications. Simple exercises like stretching can loosen the muscles and prevent various foot problems.

Causes of Corns and Calluses in feet

Callus is the most common foot problem all over the world. We use legs for a wide range of activities like walking, swimming and jumping. Constant use of our legs puts more pressure that can lead to formation of callus or corn on the feet. Callus is caused when people have abnormal posture while walking on the feet. Corns are well defined callus of the dead skin. They form on smooth and hairless skin surfaces which is usually between the toes. Corns and calluses occur in the feet as protective mechanism to prevent injury due to abnormal pressure in the feet.

Corns are of two different types namely soft corn and hard corn. Soft corns occur as a result of abnormal pressure on the foot. They generally appear in between the toes. The soft corns are called as helomamolles. They are white in color and nauseating as they are wet due to sweat. The hard corns appear on the top of the toes. The hard corns are usually called as helomadurums. They are flaky and dry. Patients who have callus experience too much of pressure on the feet. This pressure is usually caused due to friction. There may be various causes that can lead to friction on the feet such as shoe bite, standing for a very long time and wearing tight socks that can constrict blood vessels.

Other types of callus can be due to various deformities on the body like hammer toe. This is due to formation of bone in the toe and when pressure is placed on the bone, callus is formed. Similarly, bone prominence on various parts of the foot can also lead to the formation of callus. Abnormal gait can lead to a raised pressure on the foot that can result in callus. People who have flat feet are more prone to developing callus. Women who constantly wear high heels are likely to develop callus feet due to constant pressure.

When callus become painful, it will be extremely difficult to walk. They will endure constant pain in the legs. Callus can develop in any part of the body as long as there is constant pressure on that region. A callus that develops on the foot is usually larger and wider with a poor edge. It is essential to look for symptoms such as dryness, thick bulge, pain and hardness on the foot. They can either be grey or white or yellow in color.

Corns are generally smaller than calluses. The corns have a hard centre and are painful. Calluses that are not painful can develop on the heels and soles of the feet. When the callus or corn becomes painful, it is essential to get medical advice as they can lead to various complications. Corns can also occur as a result of diabetes due to improper blood circulation in the body. When there is pain, the cause underlying the condition such as heels or improperly fitting shoes should be avoided.